In a landmark judgment delivered on August 2, 2025, a special Bengaluru court sentenced former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment for raping a 47‑year‑old domestic worker, in what has become one of the most shocking political scandals in recent Indian history. The court also imposed a hefty fine of over ₹10 lakh, with most of it directed as compensation to the survivor.
Judgment and Charges
Presided over by Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat at the Special Court for elected representatives, prajwal revanna was convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:
- Section 376(2)(k) for rape while in a position of dominance.
- Section 376(2)(n) for repeated rape of the same woman—both punishable by life imprisonment.
- Section 354B (criminal force to disrobe) — 7 years rigorous imprisonment + ₹50,000 fine.
- Section 354C (voyeurism) — 2 years rigorous imprisonment.
- Section 354A (sexual harassment) — 3 years rigorous imprisonment.
- Section 506 (criminal intimidation) — 2 years rigorous imprisonment + ₹10,000 fine.
- Section 201 (destruction of evidence), Section 66E (IT Act violation), and others—each carrying 3 years rigorous imprisonment plus fines.
Altogether, ₹11 lakh (₹11 50,000 per some reports) was imposed, with ₹11.25 lakh awarded to the survivor as compensation .
Courtroom Drama and Defense Plea
During sentencing, prajwal revanna, aged 34, broke down in court, tearfully stating: “My only mistake was growing too quickly in politics.” He argued the complaint surfaced just days before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and alleged political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his campaign .
Defense counsel pleaded for leniency, citing Revanna’s young age and privileged background. However, prosecutors, led by S.P.P. B.N. Jagadeesh and Ashok Nayak, argued that the survivor had endured societal stigma and emotional trauma, calling for the maximum sentence as a deterrent .
About Prajwal Revanna
Prajwal Revanna, born 5 August 1990, studied mechanical engineering and entered politics from the Hassan constituency in Karnataka. He won the 2019 Lok Sabha seat, succeeding his grandfather former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and became one of the youngest MPs in India at age 29 .
Belonging to the powerful Revanna–Gowda political dynasty, Prajwal’s father is H.D. Revanna, a former Karnataka minister and MLA. His uncle, H.D. Kumaraswamy, served as Chief Minister. Prajwal rose rapidly within JD(S), eventually being appointed state general secretary .
The Case on Prajwal Revanna
The case originated in May 2024 when explicit videos of sexual assault were circulated in Hassan, allegedly recorded by Revanna himself. A middle-aged domestic worker filed a complaint after being assaulted multiple times—both at the family’s farm in Gannikada and the family home in Bengaluru’s Basavanagudi .
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) gathered over 2,000 images and 40–50 video files. Forensic analysis matched DNA from the victim’s garment with samples from Revanna. The court heard testimony from a former staffer, Karthik N., who found the incriminating media on Revanna’s phone and became a key witness
Revanna was arrested on May 31, 2024, at Bengaluru airport returning from Germany, where he had fled amid mounting scandal and an Interpol blue-corner notice issued against him. He has been in prison
Political Fallout and Repercussions
The conviction reverberated through Karnataka politics. Many JD(S) members claimed political vendetta, especially after Prajwal lost the 2024 Lok Sabha contest amid scandal. However, the sentencing was broadly seen as upholding the rule of law—regardless of lineage or influence
It also intensified scrutiny of the Revanna–Gowda clan: Prajwal’s brother Suraj Revanna was separately arrested in a sexual assault case in June 2024, and his father H.D. Revanna faced kidnapping allegations linked to the scandal
The conviction and harsh sentence handed to prajwal revanna mark a watershed moment in Indian politics and jurisprudence. It illustrates that political stature does not guarantee impunity, and that the judiciary can and will act decisively in protecting survivors of sexual violence.
As the nation watches, this case may well serve as a precedent: signaling that power must not shield perpetrators—and justice must be blind to privilege.